By Tiffany Hall
"Girl, do you see what she has on?"
"Uh, huh and you know who's room I saw
her coming out of last night?" Doesn't this
sound familiar? Yep, sounds like a typical
day on the Yard.
Many campus organizations got togeth
er to put on a program to help the dis-
sention of black females on UNC's cam
pus. Sorry, fellas, but this night was just
for the ladies.
On Nov. 3, 2001 Harambee Dada was
held to try to bring black women together
for a night of fun and unity. Harambee
Dada is a Swahili phrase meaning "sisters
coming together." The event was spon
sored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi
Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma
Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., the
Office of Minority Affairs and
Celebration of Black
Womanhood (a committee of
the Black Student Movement.)
It was a night filled with
activities, discussions, and a
screening of John Singleton's
film "Baby Boy." The night
started off with an icebreaker to
get everyone comfortable. In an
application filled out prior to the
program, participants were
asked the question of what does
it mean to be a black woman.
There were a wide variety of
responses, with words such as
intelligent, independent, strong.
Top: Participants compiled an image that represents
ttieir idea of beauty. Among tlie qualities considered
‘beautiful’ were strong, dynamic, mezmerizing and
unlimited. Bottom: Harambee Dada participants
pose for a picture.
determined, beautiful and simply stated-
"extra work."
In groups we then discussed and made
a sample of what our ideal image of beau
ty was. The object of the activity was to see
if a different complexion would distort the
image of beauty. For example, if lighter
skinned women would have a different
conception of beauty compared to darker-
skinned females. A full discussion and
evaluation followed the activity.
There was also a dinner and a round
table discussion on such topics as reputa
tions, interracial dating and everyone's
favorite, the male to female ratio on UNC's
campus.
To sum up the evening, sophomore
attendee Norledia Moody comments, "The
program was an excellent way to bring sis
ters together to talk about things that effect
us and what we think about but never
open our mouths to say."
So basically, if you missed it...you just
missed it! Don't worry, it is in the works
for becoming an annual event, but not just
limited to black women, but ALL women
of color. So mark it down on your calen
dars for next year ladies.
December 2001 18